Steam Tug HERCULES, Hyde Street Pier, San Francisco, San Francisco County, CA

Significance: The Steam Tug HERCULES is a National Historic Landmark, significant as the only oceangoing steam tug on the West Coast. Typical in the early 20th century, this steam tug hauled log floats, large ships, and other disabled vessels. Her triple expansion steam engine is in operating condition and she steams San Francisco Bay as a floating exhibition.

At the time of her construction in 1907, HERCULES represented the state of the art in the construction of steam powered tugboats. The vessel currently tied to Hyde Street Pier is little different from when she was launched and stands as a well-preserved model of early twentieth century maritime technology. Beyond her significance as representative of a technological age, HERCULES is important because she and the vessels she towed were a crucial part of the nation's West Coast development.
Unprocessed Field note material exists for this structure: N104
Survey number: HAER CA-62
Building/structure dates: 1907 Initial Construction
National Register of Historic Places NRIS Number: 75000225